As far as risks go, the decision to make such a public proclamation about the shedding of players was as big as they come. We have had lengthy debates about whether the execution of the action was managed well. Some of you on this site believe it was about time that the club took this kind of stand, others thought it was disrespectful to those players involved and should have been handled more privately.
In the end, from a club perspective at least, any action like this is about achieving an outcome. And the first of those outcomes will be seen tonight at Parramatta Stadium against the Roosters.
But first, let’s reflect that Ricky Stuart knew this day would come some eight or nine months ago. When he briefed the so-called “influential supporters” forum, soon after joining the club, he talked a lot about building a culture. He’s constantly talked about the player’s bonding and the “feel” of the club. However, on the flip side to that - at that very first address to supporters - he warned that there would be “blood”. His exact words. And this week that blood has finally been spilt.
Clearly, there has been displeasure amongst the playing group. Jarryd Hayne articulated that yesterday. However, I can only feel that was part of the objective - to try and rock the players out of their comfort zone. I’ve spoken to many people within the club, who believe that the players have been allowed to exert too much power. I can only imagine following the Mudgee performance, that Stuart was at his wits end and decided that there needed to be immediate and dramatic action.
What will now be tested is Stuart’s man management. I’m a very firm believer that the biggest difference between a good coach and a poor one, is that the good coach knows how to pull himself off the ground. That was something I admired about Brian Smith - he had more than a couple of rough years but he’d work out what was going on, and more often than not correct it. Michael Hagan on the other hand, seemed to work himself into a deeper and deeper hole as soon as the going got tough.
This episode will tell us a lot about Stuart’s capacity to work his way out of problems. Has he built himself enough respect within the playing group, that he can deliver this news and still keep them believing in what is being worked towards - either from a club or individual perspective?
Judging by the reactions on this site and other social media, the majority of Eels fans supported the tough stance and the lack of sugar coating. However, if the Eels are belted against the Roosters will they have a change of heart? Already, certain elements of the press has leapt onto the saga to engage in some good, old fashion Parra bashing, with the new board having to lead with its chin.
However, the reality is - and I hate to use this cliche - but only time will tell. If next year, Parramatta are holding up a Premiership you can bet those same newspaper reporters will be identifying this week as the turning point in the club. If things don’t get better, this will be talked of as the day we hit rock bottom. All we can say, is everything else that has been tried over the past three years hasn’t worked. Regardless of our own thoughts on the matter, as supporters of this proud club, we can only hope. Because hope is pretty much all we have right now.
Replies
Diamonds are born from pressure, i believe Stuart has made the right call here, this season is over, it was over before it started, many will try to use this as an excuse for why we will fail this year but they are missing the point, this seasons as good as done, lets use it to put pressure on for next year and maybe come out with a few diamonds.
Nice analogy Snake.
I agree 100% in what the club and Ricky are trying to do, i read an article that Reni might not play tonight because he is so upset lol. He was on the maybe pile way to prove Ricky's point. How soft mentally are these blokes??? I remember Hindy played the next day after his father passed away. People lose their jobs all the time and have no choice but to go to work because they can't afford not too. The players have had far too much say for too long, this is the first time they have been held accountable since Smithy left and look at what happens. If they get pumped tonight and don't try it will prove to Ricky they can all go.
After hearing about the cull initially, I thought that it was handled badly by RS but after reading a few posts in here and esp. 1EE's I think it's what we needed. We've been failing for far too long but the vast majority of players sat comfortably on their fat contracts. I was thinking that maybe he should have waited for the end of the season but f#ck it! Why not think out of the box and do the cull now? It'll shake the rest of the players knowing that no one will be safe if they don't pull their fingers out and give 120% in training and games.
I can understand JH's stance since he's a captain and has to support his mates. RS is not the players' mate. A coach should never be.
From the moment we took on RS and we rolled the dice with him, he must be supported FULLY and be given the time to develop the players he reckons that can make it and be the Parramatta of tomorrow but also purchase those that have the quality to make us a top 8 team.
Good on RS. That kick in the ass is what we needed. I'll always support my players but I won't when we're being flogged consistently by 30-40 points and generally playing like a bunch of softc@cks. We've been losing for too long. This electro- shock is what was needed. At the end of the day, what's the worst that can happen? Finish last again?
Ricky's got my 100% backing.
Whilst I don't consider Sticky anywhere near the likes of Jack Gibson in terms of coaching philosophy/ability I think the way he announced that 12 players were either leaving or playing for their contracts would've been similar in the way Gibson dealt with players who weren't up to it or didn't respect him.
Gibson demoted players to reserve grade if they were late to training and players like Sterling and Kenny both said he could let fly at one player in particular if need be.
Maybe the announcement was a form of attitude test. The one's that want to be here will stand up and fight for a contract. The others will lie down and accept it.
Now I know the Lance Armstrong is a drug cheat and so on and so forth. But he does have quite a good philosophy on life having beaten cancer twice and was arguably the greatest and toughest cheat of all. You've got to be tough to win the Tour de France never mind dominate it for the best part of a decade and beat other guys being fueled by more than just their natural body. But just remember this when Hayne lifts the trophy a few years down the track:
"Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or even a year. But eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit however it will last forever." We are in a painful position but I see the sacking of those players a step in the right direction, Stuart has made a statement and is putting a price on the jersey. It's a privilege not a right, wear it with pride or don't wear it at all. In a few years that pain will be replaced with ecstasy (hopefully).
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